Gypsy Jazz & Brazilian

July 11-14, 2019, Bellows Falls, Vermont

For four days this July, Vermont will host players from all over the world for an intense celebration of non-classical styles, techniques, and contemporary practice methods.The daily schedule will include lots of good food, conversation, jam sessions, classes,and performances.

This year the emphasis is on Gypsy Jazz and Brazilian instrumental music - both GREAT repertoires for classically-trained players to begin to understand new styles and improvisational concepts.

Jason Anick, violinist and mandolinist with the acclaimed "Rhythm Future Quartet," is on the faculty of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and is very active on the international concert circuit. Jason is a classically-trained player who has found his way into improvised styles and knows how to communicate this innovative pathway.

Eugene Friesen will focus on Brazilian music and ways to make your playing an indispensable creative voice in contemporary ensembles. Eugene will share his approach to playing and accompanying in a variety of jazz and Brazilian styles.

You will learn to craft bass lines, understand harmony, take a solo, and play a melody with authentic style.

Players will also rehearse and perform in ensembles, offering opportunities to survey new repertoire, solo in a group, and integrate new styles in an ensemble setting.

Please submit Contact Form below for application and more information.

"The inspiration from camp has stayed with me,and I have even discovered a new part of myself that had been suppressed for a long time. The workshop was the perfect environment for me to discover, be supported, and to exploremy uninhibited musical personality. It has changed my life forever. THANK YOU!!!"-- Cindi Kornhaus, New Jersey

"Eugene ... thank you so much for sharing your phenomenal artistry!I think all of the workshop participants came away with new and renewed spiritsand affection for our instruments and for pursuing our own voices. Brilliant modeling,great practice tools, strong guidance and encouragement for personal reflection,helpful feedback ... WOW!"-- Beth Youngblood, Montana

JASONOne of the youngest violin professors at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, Anick is considered “a rising star in the world of jazz violin and mandolin” (Downbeat Magazine). In addition to leading his own contemporary jazz ensemble and performing with the Rhythm Future Quartet, Anick has been touring and recording with Grammy award-winning Nashville guitar virtuoso John Jorgenson since 2008 when he was recruited while still a senior at the Hartt Conservatory.

Over the past year, Jason has been focusing on arranging and composing for the Rhythm Future Quartet, which he started with Finnish guitarist Olli Soikkeli. With performances all over the U.S. and Europe, the Rhythm Future Quartet is rapidly becoming one of the preeminent Gypsy jazz groups in the country.

A versatile musician and sought after side-man, Anick has also shared the stage with an array of artists like Stevie Wonder, Tommy Emmanuel, The Jim Kweskin Jug Band, John Sebastian, Delta Rae, and Girls, Guns and Glory. With performances all over the world from China, Europe, and Japan and renowned venues like the Montreal Jazz Festival, Blue Note, Scullers Jazz Club, Yoshi's Jazz Club, Iridium, TD Garden, Regattabar, NPR, and The Late Night Show, Jason has proven himself to be a leader in the ever-growing contemporary string world.

MAXGuitarist, composer, and arranger Max O’Rourke was born and raised in West Rutland, Vermont. His interest in guitar began when he was six and has since progressed into a lifelong journey. While touring around the world with Rhythm Future Quartet and other groups, he has built up a significant amount of original work and is now leading his own project. His debut album Disquiet draws from his roots in gypsy jazz and his love for the electric guitar.

"With this new album Max O’Rourke has brought an original take to the world of gypsy jazz that is familiar, yet unique. Part traditional gypsy jazz, and part more modern jazz-roots fusion, arrangements are well thought out and at times recall the classic arrangements of George Barnes (a very good thing!). When high-level improvisational skills are married to good melodies and dynamic arrangements like these, the listener is the big winner!"-John Jorgenson

EUGENEFour-time Grammy winner Eugene Friesen is active internationally as a cellist, composer, conductor and teacher. He has worked and recorded with such diverse artists as Dave Brubeck, Toots Thielemans, Betty Buckley, Will Ackerman, Joe Lovano and Dream Theater, and has been featured in concerts all over the world with the Paul Winter Consort, with Trio Globo (Friesen, Howard Levy and Glen Velez), and in his popular CelloMan performances for children and families.

A pioneer in the teaching of improvisation to classically trained musicians, Eugene has led workshops throughout North America and around the world. His book, Improvisation for Classically Trained Musicians (Berklee Press) was published in 2012.

Eugene is an artist-in-residence at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, and on the faculty of the Berklee College of Music in Boston. More information on Eugene can be found at: www.eugenefriesenmusic.com

"Gypsy Jazz & Brazilian" will include classes, discussions, meals, jamming, and public performances by Jason, Eugene and participants. Classes, meals and performances will take place in the historic Immanuel Episcopal Church (Stone Church) in the heart of Bellows Falls, Vermont. The church sanctuary is a magnificent space with warm acoustics and 9-foot Steinway grand piano. The former parsonage has been updated as The Immanuel Retreat Center, and has accommodations for a limited number of participants at very reasonable prices.

Click the blue button below for more information on the Stone Church and the Immanuel Retreat Center: